SKS Decision..

[gt3944]

Ok guys, I have a friend that has a russian style sks..he offered it to me, it has a polymer stock, scope, 2 clips,wooden stock with sling not originall and 150 rounds of ammo..now he wants either 250.00 for it or my 10/22+50.00..I looked at it today and its a bit dirty..I mean not extreme but dirty, also I could quite get a good view of the barrel, the crown is fine but the rest is dirty..it also looks like it has a new upper..so do you guys think I should jump on this or stay away..

 

[Andrew S]

Sounds like a used and abused Russian. I wouldnt do it for that price when you can get a new Yugo for $150.

 

[lawson]

is the bore just dirty, or worn and pitted? stay away from a bad bore, it's not worth it.

shop around and find an sks worth accessorizing, you'll be much happier with a gun that shoots well.

 

[Cosmoline]

Do you mean a Russian SKS-45 or a knockoff "Russian style" rifle? What's the arsenal and year?

 

[gt3944]

Its an sks45, and it looks like its just dirty..anyways he says hell take just the 10/22 and not to worry about the 50.00.

 

[buck00]

Try to find out if it is Russian or Chinese. Did you see any markings on it? What did the bayonet look like?

If he has put a lot of rounds through it and beat it up, I think you might be better off spending $250 towards an SKS in better shape.

I've seen Yugos for as low as $115.

 

[lawson]

get him to clean it thoroughly, inspect it, and then have him take you out and shoot it.

 

[kfranz]

Take it.

10/22's are a dime a dozen, and unless you've got a hopped up Ruger, even a beat up Russian SKS is worth more than your 10/22.

Yugo SKS's are great, and you should get one of those too, but while Russian SKS's aren't exactly rare, they are not currently being imported.

 

[gt3944]

its definetly russian, like I said the wooden stock he has for it is not an original, its a chinese stock looks like..and the bayonet is also chinese, I think..If Im not mistaken, the russian sks had a blade bayonet this one is a spear bayonet...

 

[MCgunner]

I gave $115 for a chinese new production "paratrooper carbine" with 16" barrel and $75 for a surplus Chinese SKS rifle in very good condition. Both have chromed bores which is a good thing.

Guess prices have gone up, eh? Bought mine back around 1990.

 

[GunDog44]

McGunner,
Excuse my ignorance, but why is a chrome line bore a plus, with todays non-corrosive ammo ? I have read in several places that chrome lined bores affect accuracy. Do you feel there is any truth to what I have read and been told ?

Thanks

 

[lawson]

a chrome-lined bore means it won't be as messed up from years of shooting corrosive ammo in the past. a lot of soldiers didn't have the chance to clean their rifles after they were shot.

as to whether or not it effects accuracy, i have no knowledge of that.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

If the 10/22 is the only rifle you have, DO IT. An SKS in any condition is a far superior anti-personnel weapon than a 10/22. You never know when the SHTF is just around the corner! [taking off tinfoil hat now]


I wouldn't pay a lot for an SKS in bad shape. If you look around, pawn shops, shows, stores...you can probably find a Chinese SKS that has a chrome bore and chamber and an excellent trigger for $225, and that wouldn't be a great price either. Expect a little bit better price.


Otherwise, go with an unissued Yugo - that was my first choice before I stumbled upon a Norinco that takes AK mags.

 

[buck00]

MCgunner, I drool when the older guys talk of the "glory days" when you could get Russian and Chinese SKS rifles for under $100. I wish I would have stocked up then, but then again I was a teen back in the 90’s.

As Lawson said, chrome lined barrels are good as they last longer and they are easier to clean. However, it doesn't mean a non-chromed lined barrel is crap. I have a 1950 Russian Tula that doesn't have chrome and I just have to watch the ammo I use and clean it extra carefully. Yes, some say chrome will throw off the accuracy of a round by a small fraction, but then again, no one is resolving a bank hostage situation with an SKS or shooting competitively in the Olympics... so I don't think it matters that much.

Lawson also had a good suggestion- clean it and go out and shoot it with him. Take her for a test drive. Get a feel for it.

Ok gt3944, back to you. We've established it is a Russian, year undetermined at this point, but it lacks the original stock, the original bayonet and the original sling? Sounds like he might be putting perfume on a pig here. Honestly, depending on what part of the country you live in you could get an all matching Russian SKS for $250. Sure you wouldn't get the mags he is offering and the 150 rounds of ammo, but you could get a rifle in better condition.

I found http://www.sksboards.com/forum to be good when trying to find info on SKS rifles. These guys are fanatical.

 

[gt3944]

Pics of the trade, check them out

Ok so I decided to go with the trade..ofcourse I played a bit of a trick..I asked him to let me take the rifle to the gunshop and I would bring him the 10/22 the next day, well hes getting his 10/22 on monday..I got the sks back today and the gunshop guy said that it was only dirty..he also said that it was a russian and that it was in good shape..so here are some pics of the sks and the 10/22..let me know what you think..

 

[jeremywills]

Already asked, but is the 10/22 your one and only rifle? everyone should have a .22 but.... like also stated the 10/22 is a dime a dozen, well considering the SKS is not all that hard to find either you can say the same thing, you and only you have to decide what would serve you better, again also stated, if it is a SD thing the SKS is the way to go, if your just mainly using it for target shooting etc...... SKS can be loads of fun too, if its for like varmit hunting etc... then its too much, so whats the exact intent of usage on this SKS? Thats what I would be asking. Is this more for primary SD or just target practice I dont hunt and I dont intend to use for SD unless the situation presents itself, I mainly just shoot for fun at paper so this is what I would be asking. YMMV

FWIW I have a Norinco that was made for export (aka commerical) I got for 200 bucks basically NIB, it sat in a guys safe for 16 years before he sold it, chrome lined bbl so yea clean ups easier, accuracy wise its damned accurate, ok not the same gun but its ton of fun to shoot, SKS recoils next to nothing, the ammo can be had for cheap, like a 10/22, everyone should have an SKS too IMHO, I say go for it. If its a straight up trade then do it.

Thats what I would do.

 

[buck00]

gt3944

Good way to start out. Rock on.

 

[aaronrkelly]

No doubt about it, you did good - Russian SKS even up for 10/22 is awesome in my book. That rifle in original condition would have been easily a $250+ gun depending on year and what armory it came from. The unoriginal stock and bayonet kill the collector value but its still a really nice gun. In a few months you can easily replace your 10/22 at Wal-Mart.

 

[jeremywills]

I would put it back in the wood furniture with the bayo, thats me though, and see about getting a cover without the scope rings, basically Im from the non sporterized camp, stock configs for me but its your call, good luck

 

[MechAg94]

Wow. 150 rounds is pretty valuable these days.

 

[gt3944]

Well, I found out that its an early model 51. It is the original bayonet but the stock is still iffy...overall it cleaned up great..

 

[jeremywills]

I would get a stock thats not iffy, try and find a good russian one thats what I would do You could probably sell or trade the plastic furniture for one maybe and or sell it for ammo money Either way I think you have done well with it regardless what furniture you choose to use with it. Good luck.

 

[Schleprok62]

Is $169 for a Yugo model a fair price? Still has cosmolene all through it??

 

[ball3006]

Russian SKS do not have a spike....

bayonet. Are you sure that stock is Chinese? That extra gas tube is worth 30 bucks.........If the rifle does not appear to be all that accurate, take the scope off and use the iron sights. Those scopes that mount to the bolt cover are not that reliable because the cover is just fixed to the receiver with a pin.........enjoy. chris3

 

[gt3944]

ball 3006, I dont want to go against what your saying, but russian sks did have a spike bayonet, at leasts the early 51 models did..emphazis on early 51..